The Old Hall Inn, Derbyshire

Overview

Relax and unwind following an invigorating walk at Daniel Capper's striking 16th-century coaching inn and adjoining Elizabethan manor house, nestled in a sleepy village set in glorious Peak District countryside.

With Kinder Scout, Mam Tor and Stanage Edge all within easy reach, walkers beat a path to the door to soak up the atmosphere in the rambling and comfortably rustic interior over a pint of locally brewed ale. Refurbished in country style, the inn has lost none of its original charm and character - expect old flagstones, stone mullion windows, roaring fires and an impressive minstrel's gallery in the old hall dining room. The garden enjoys fabulous Peak views.

Dan offers an impressive choice of ciders, local cask ales and craft beers, alongside daily menus that make sound use of local produce, while stylish bedrooms above the inn, across the road at the Paper Mill Inn and within cosy cottages (perfect for families) make the hamlet of Whitehough a popular place to stay for visitors touring the Peak District.

Rooms from

7 doubles and twins: £119; cottages £180

Good to know

All major credit cards accepted
Alfresco & private dining
Self-catering cottages
Parking available
No dogs overnight

Serene & scenic
Nestled in a sleepy village in the heart of the idyllic Peak District, this is the place to be for some real rest and relaxation.

Outdoor adventures
Enjoy sensational local walking around the Pennines; the Pennine Way starts at nearby Edale - just 8 mins by train. Or, explore the many off road cycling trails that start from the inn itself.

Quiet romance
Enjoy the heritage hues of this traditional inn on a romantic weekend away.

Rooms

Sleep in style in one of the seven comfortable rooms above the inn, where all rooms are decked out in contemporary country style and most enjoy fabulous Peak views.

Expect individual furnishings in keeping with the age and history of the building, notably big brass or wooden four poster beds, mullioned windows, oak beams, rich fabrics and fat lamps, interesting prints/local photographs, and plenty of cosseting extras and detail touches - Nespresso machine, Smart TV and free use of 'Garmin' navigation devices already loaded with local walking routes. Room 4 above the original coaching inn has a fine four-poster bed, a big bathroom (deep tub and walk-in shower) with access to a private balcony.

Alternatively, there are more contemporary rooms at the Paper Mill Inn and three stunning self-catering cottages located around Whitehough, including Shepherds Cottage with three bedrooms, kitchen, dining room and log-burning stoves. The perfect option if you're looking for more space as a family - plus it's strolling distance to the pub for breakfast.

Restaurant & bar

Enticing seasonal menus champion pub classics and local produce - tuck into Kingsterndale lamb shoulder (from the chef's farm) with mash and red wine jus, or a hearty pub classic like steak and ale pie with triple-cooked chips and a pot of gravy.

There are hearty sandwiches (honey roast ham & goat's cheese), sticky toffee pudding for dessert, cracking Sunday lunches, and burgers, ribs, steaks and chicken cooked over coals in the garden too.

Being so close to each other, the food offering at the Paper Mill Inn is very different, so if you love handmade pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven, or pop-up street food style dishes then settle into the Paper Mill Inn, the perfect accompaniment to the fabulous craft beer on offer. You can also enjoy the two pub kitchens in one place, with the specially designed garden menu, including boxed dishes from the Old Hall, and global dishes from the Paper Mills fire pit.

Beer aficionados will find a mind-boggling 8 ales on tap (local Thornbridge, Abbeydale and Bollington brews), alongside a raft of craft beers and ciders, at both the Old Hall Inn and the Paper Mill Inn.

Private dining

For an intimate dinner with friends or a celebratory family meal, book the big table by the roaring fire and beneath the impressive minstrel's gallery in the Old Hall dining room.

Things to do

A scenic twenty minute drive away, the glorious Lyme Park makes for a great day out for all the family. Nestled on the edge of the Peak District and run by the National Trust, the house is surrounded by gardens, moorland and deer park. Step back into the Regency lavish interiors, try out the billiards table in the Long Gallery or let the children run wild in the Crow Wood Playscape with a giant slide, badger den and rope walks. The 1,400 acre estate with its medieval herd of red deer offers fantastic walks and stunning views too.

Or, explore the nearby spa town of Buxton. Home of Buxton Water, the town is one of the region's most popular tourist destinations, boasting wonderful Georgian and Regency architecture and stunning gardens as well as a range of theatrical events and festivals taking place all year round.